Pyridyl-substituted imidazoles, compositions containing same and methods of use thereof

ABSTRACT

Novel imidazole of the formula: ##STR1## wherein Ring A is pyridyl group or a substituted pyridyl group; Ring B is phenyl group or a substituted phenyl group; R 1  and R 2  are hydrogen atom or are combined together to form a group of the formula: --(CH 2 ) q  --; m is 1 or 2; n is 0, 1 or 2; and q is 3 or 4, or a salt thereof are disclosed. Said derivative (I) and a salt thereof are useful as anti-ulcer agents.

The instant application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 122,286, filed Nov. 18, 1987 now abandoned.

This invention relates to a novel imidazole derivative and processes for preparing same. More particularly, it relates to an imidazole derivative of the formula: ##STR2## wherein Ring A is pyridyl group or a substituted pyridyl group, Ring B is phenyl group or a substituted phenyl group; R¹ and R² are hydrogen atom or are combined together to form a group of the formula: --(CH₂)_(q) --; m is 1 or 2; n is 0, 1 or and q is 3 or 4, or a salt thereof.

Excessive gastric acid secretion is one the of causative factors of peptic ulcer diseases such as gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. Since the acid secretion by gastric parietal cells is known to be induced by histamine, acetylcholine or gastrin, cholinergic receptor blockers (e.g., atropine) and histamine H₂ -receptor blockers (e.g., cimetidine) which antagonize these stimuli in living tissues have been used for treatment of such ulcer diseases [Medicina, 23(4) 560-565 (1986)).

Moreover, benzimidazole compounds such as omeprazole have been .recently found to show the antisecretory effects due to their inhibitory effect on the enzymatic activity of (H⁺ /K⁺ ATPase (i.e., the enzyme which plays an important role in concentration and/or secretion of gastric acid ) (Japanese Patent Publication (unexamined) No. 141783/1979).

However, among these known drugs, cholinergic receptor blockers are still unsatisfactory for clinical use because of strong toxicity (e.g., atropine toxicosis). Cimetidine, one of the histamine H₂ receptor blockers, is also known to have unfavorable side effects such as anti-androgen effect and prolactin release-stimulating effect.

As a result of various investigations, we have now found that the compound (I) of the present invention and a salt thereof show potent inhibitory effect against gastric acid secretion and is useful for therapeutic treatment or prophylaxis of peptic ulcer diseases. For example, when the effect of a test compound on gastrin-induced gastric acid secretion was examined by oral administration to rats, each one of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-(1-pyrrolyl)-benzylsulfinyl)imidazole, 1-(3-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-(dimethylamino)benzylsulfinyl)imidazole and 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-(diethylamino)benzylsulfinyl)cyclopenta(d)imidazole at the dose of 30 mg/kg showed more than 70 % decrease in gastric acid secretion as compared with non-administered group of rats. On the other hand, when the effect of a test compound on the enzyme activity of H⁺ /K⁺ ATPase prepared from the porcine gastric mucosa was examined, IC₅₀ (i.e., the concentration required to induce 50% inhibition of said enzymatic activity) of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-(diethylamino)benzylsulfinyl)cyclopenta(d)imidazole was about 10 μM and IC₅₀ of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-(cyclohexylamino)benzylsulfinyl)imidazole and 1-(4-methoxy-6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-(diethylamino)benzylsulfinyl)imidazole were less than 10 μM.

Examples of the compounds of the present invention are those of the formula (I) in which Ring A is a 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl group which may optionally have one or two substituent(s) selected from a halogen atom such as chlorine atom or bromine atom, a lower alkyl group such as methyl group or ethyl group, a lower alkoxy group such as methoxy group, ethoxy group or isopropoxy group, a phenyl-lower alkoxy group such as benzyloxy group, nitro group, amino group, a lower alkanoylamino group such as acetylamino group or propionylamino group, a N-lower alkyl-N-lower alkanoylamino group such as N-methyl-N-acetylamino group, a mono- or di(lower alkyl)amino group such as methylamino group, ethylamino group, dimethylamino group or diethylamino group, a lower alkanoyloxy group such as acetoxy group, cyanide group, a trihalogeno-lower alkyl group such as trifluoromethyl group, a trihalogeno-lower alkoxy group such as 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy group, a lower alkenyloxy group such as allyloxy group, and hydroxy group; Ring B is a phenyl group which may optionally have one substituent selected from nitro group, amino group, a mono- or di(lower alkyl)amino group such as methylamino group, ethylamino group, dimethylamino group, diethylamino group or dipropylamino group, a lower alkanoylamino group such as acetylamino group or propionylamino group, phenylamino group, a cycloalkylamino group such as cyclohexylamino group, a N-(tri-lower alkylphenyl)sulfonylamino group such as (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)sulfonylamino group, a N-lower alkyl-N-(tri-lower alkylphenyl)sulfonylamino group such as N-methyl-N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)sulfonylamino group, a N-lower alkyl-N-phenylamino group such as N-methyl-N-phenylamino group or N-ethyl-N-phenylamino group, a di(lower alkyl)amino-lower alkylideneamino group such as dimethylamino-methylideneamino group, a di(lower alkyl)amino-lower alkyl group such as dimethylaminomethyl group or diethylaminomethyl group, a N-lower alkyl-N-lower alkanoylamino group such as N-methyl-N-acetylamino group, a lower alkoxy group such as methoxy group or ethoxy group, an arylcarbonylamino group such as benzoylamino group, a lower alkylsulfonylamino group such as methanesulfonylamino group, formylamino group, a lower alkoxycarbonylamino group such as methoxycarbonylamino group or ethoxycarbonylamino group, phthalimido group and a nitrogen-containing 5- or 6- membered hetero monocyclic group such as morpholino group, imidazolyl group, pyrrolyl group, pyrrolidinyl group or piperidino group; R¹ and R² are hydrogen atom or are combined together to form trimethylene group or tetramethylene group; m is 1 or 2; and n is 0, 1 or 2.

Among them, preferred examples of the compound of the invention are those of the formula (I) in which Ring A is 2- or 4- pyridyl group which may optionally have one or two substituent(s) selected from a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group and a C₇₋₈ phenylalkoxy group; Ring B is phenyl group which may optionally have one substituent selected from amino group, a mono(C₁₋₄ alkyl)amino group, a di(C₁₋₄ alkyl)amino group, a C₁₋₄ alkanoylamino group, morpholino group, pyrrolyl group and piperidino group; R¹ and R² are hydrogen atom or are combined together to form trimethylene group; m is 1; and n is 0, 1 or 2.

More preferred examples of the compound of the invention are those of the formula (I) in which Ring A is 2- or 4-pyridyl group, a 3-, 4- or 5-(C₁₋₄ alkoxy)-2-pyridyl group, a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-(C₁₋₄ alkyl)-2-pyridyl group, a 3-(C₇₋₈ phenylalkoxy)-2-pyridyl group, a 2-(C₁₋₄ alkyl)-4-pyridyl group or a 4-(C₁₋₄ alkoxy)-6-(C₁₋₄ alkyl)-2-pyridyl group; Ring B is phenyl group, 2-morpholinophenyl group, 2-aminophenyl group, a 2-mono(C₁₋₄ alkyl)aminophenyl group, a 2-di(C₁₋₄ alkyl)aminophenyl group, 2-(pyrrolyl)phenyl group, 2-piperidino group or a 2-(C₁₋₄ alkanoyl)aminophenyl group; R¹ and R² are hydrogen atom or are combined together to form trimethylene group; m is 1; and n is 0, 1 or 2.

Most preferred examples of the compound of the invention are those of the formula (I) in which Ring A is 2-pyridyl group, a 3- or 4-(C₁₋₄ alkyl)-2-pyridyl group or 3-(C₁₋₄ alkoxy)-2-pyridyl group; Ring B is phenyl group, 2-aminophenyl group, 2-mono(C₁₋₄ alkyl)aminophenyl group, a 2-di(C₁₋₄ alkyl)aminophenyl group or 2-(1-pyrrolyl)phenyl group, R¹ and R² are hydrogen atom or are combined together to form trimethylene group; m is 1; and n is 0.

Other most preferred examples of the compound of the invention are those of the formula(I) in which Ring A is 2-pyridyl group, 3- or 4-(C₁₋₄ alkyl)-2-pyridyl group or 3-(C₁₋₄ alkoxy)-2-pyridyl group; and Ring B is phenyl group, 2-aminophenyl group, 2-mono(C₁₋₄ alkyl)aminophenyl group or 2-di(C₁₋₄ alkyl)aminophenyl group; R¹ and R² are hydrogen atom; m is 1 and n is 0.

Other most preferred examples of the compound of the invention are those of the formula(I) in which Ring A is 3- or 4-methyl-2-pyridyl group or 3-methoxy-2-pyridyl group; Ring B is 2-aminophenyl group, 2-dimethylaminophenyl group or 2-diethylaminophenyl group; R¹ and R² are hydrogen atom; m is 1 and n is 0.

While the compound (I) of the present invention in which m is 1 may exist in the form of two optically active isomers due to an asymmetric sulfoxide group, the present invention includes within its scope either one of these isomers and a mixture thereof.

According to the present invention, the compound (I) or a salt thereof can be prepared by the steps of:

(i) condensing a mercaptoimidazole compound of the formula: ##STR3## wherein Ring A, R¹, R² and n are the same as defined above, or a salt thereof with a toluene compound of the formula: ##STR4## wherein X is a reactive residue and Ring B is the same as defined above, or a salt thereof,

(ii) oxidizing the resultant product of the formula: ##STR5## wherein Ring A, Ring B, R¹, R² and n are the same as defined above, and

(iii) if required, further converting the product into a salt thereof.

Alternatively, the compound (I) in which R¹ and R² are combined together to form a group of the formula: --(CH₂)_(q) -- ( wherein q is the same as defined above) or a salt thereof can be prepared by the steps of:

(iv) dehydrating a compound of the formula: ##STR6## wherein R¹¹ and R²¹ are combined together to form a group of the formula: --(CH₂)_(q) -- and Ring A, Ring B, q and n are the same as defined above,

(v) oxidizing the resultant product, and

(vi) if required, further converting the product into a salt thereof.

The condensation of the mercaptoimidazole compound (III) and the toluene compound (IV) can be conducted in the presence or absence of an acid acceptor in an inert solvent. Any groups which can form a C--S bond through reaction with a mercapto group can be used as the reactive residue "X" of the toluene compound (IV). Such reactive residue X includes, for example, a halogen atom, an alkylsulfonyloxy group (e.g., methylsulfonyloxy group), an arylsulfonyloxy group (e.g., toluenesulfonyloxy group, benzenesulfonyloxy group) and the like. The compound (IV) which has amino group, a N-substituted amino group and the like on the benzene ring may, if required, be used for the reaction in the form of an organic or inorganic acid addition salt such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulfate, nitrate, formate, oxalate or methanesulfonate. On the other hand, the compound (III) may, if required, be used for the reaction in the form of an organic or inorganic acid addition salt (e.g., hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulfate, nitrate, formate, oxalate or methanesulfonate), an alkali metal salt (e.g., sodium salt or potassium salt), an alkaline earth metal salt (e.g., calcium salt or magnesium salt), and a quaternary ammonium salt (e.g., tetramethylammonium salt). A lower alkanol, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, water and the mixture thereof are suitable as the solvent. Suitable examples of the acid acceptor include inorganic bases such as an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali earth metal hydroxide, an alkali metal carbonate, an alkali metal bicarbonate, an alkali metal alkoxide, an alkali metal amide, an alkali metal fluoride, an alkali metal hydride, or organic bases such as pyridine, a tri-lower alkylamine, a lower alkyl lithium, a quaternary ammonium hydroxide (e.g., tetra n-butyl ammonium hydroxide), and the like. It is preferred to carry out the reaction at -20° C. to 170° C., especially -10° to 100° C.

On the other hand, the dehydration of the imidazole derivative (V) can be conducted in the presence of a dehydrating agent in an inert solvent. Suitable examples of the dehydrating agent include organic acids such as formic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid or camphorsulfonic acid, mineral acids such as hydrochloric acid or sulfonic acid or a mixture of a halogenating agent (e.g., phosphrus tribromide, phosphorus trichloride or phosphorus oxychloride ) and a base (e.g., pyridine or triethylamine) and the like. The compound (V) may, if required, be used for the reaction in the form of an organic or inorganic acid addition salt such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulfate, nitrate, formate, oxalate or methanesulfonate. It is preferred to carry out the reaction at -20° C. to 150° C., especially -10° C. to 100° C.

The oxidation of the above-obtained compound (II) [including the dehydration product of the imidazole derivative (v)] is conducted by treating it with an oxidative agent.

Conventional oxidative agents such as peroxy acids (e.g., m-chloroperbenzoic acid, perbenzoic acid or peracetic acid), an alkali metal hypochlorite, an alkali metal chlorite, an alkali metal periodate, tetra n-butyl ammonium periodate, tert.- butyl hydroperoxide, iodoxybenzene, and the like can be used for the reaction. A lower alkanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, water and the mixture thereof are suitable as the solvent. (It is preferred to carry out the reaction at -70° C. to 100° C., especially -50° C. to 20° C. In this reaction, a sulfinyl-imidazole compound (I) (m=1) is obtained by using an equimolar amount or a little excess amount of the oxidative agent, and a sulfonyl-imidazole compound (I) (m=2) is obtained by using not less than two equimolar amount of the oxidative agent.

The intermediate (II) obtained by the above-mentioned reaction is a novel compound, and the substituent(s) on the Ring A and/or B thereof may be, if required, modified or converted to other substituent(s) before the oxidation step. For example, the compound (II) having amino group on the Ring A and/or B may be obtained by conventional reduction of the compound (II) having nitro group thereon, or by hydrolysis of the corresponding N-phthalimido or N-tri lower alkylphenylsulfonylamido compound (II). Alternatively, the compound (II) having one or two substituent(s) selected from a lower alkanoylamino group, a lower alkylsulfonylamino group, formylamino group, a lower alkylamino group, an arylcarbonylamino group, a lower alkoxycarbonylamino group and a substituted phenylsulfonylamino group on the Ring A and/or B thereof may be obtained by conventional acylation or alkylation of the compound (II) having amino group, an N-alkylamino group or an N-acylamino group on said Ring A and/or B.

Because of the potent inhibitory effect against gastric acid secretion and/or potent inhibitory effect on the enzymatic activity of H⁺ /K⁺ ATPase, the imidazole compound (I) of the present invention and a salt thereof are useful for therapeutic treatment and/or prophylaxis of peptic ulcer diseases such as gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. The imidazole compound (I) and a salt thereof can be used without unfavorable side effects such as anti-androgen or prolactin release-stimulating effects as observed in histamine H₂ --receptor blockers. Moreover, since the imidazole compound (I) and a salt thereof may include a group of compounds which inhibit effectively the gastric acid secretion without affecting the enzyme activity of H⁺ /K⁺ ATPase, such compounds may be used as anti-ulcer agents which are different in mechanism of action from the known H⁺ /K⁺ ATPase inhibitors such as omeprazole.

The compound (I) can be used for pharmaceutical use either in the free form or in the form of a salt thereof. Suitable salts of the compound (I) for pharmaceutical use include, for example, pharmaceutically acceptable salts such as inorganic acid addition salts (e.g., hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, sulfate, nitrate), organic acid addition salts (e.g., formate, oxalate, methanesulfonate, glucuronate), and the like. Such salts may be obtained by treating the free base of the compound (I) with a stoichiometrically equimolar amount of the acid.

The dose of the compound (I) or a salt thereof may vary depending on the age, condition and body weight of patients, the kind and severity of diseases to be treated and administration route, etc, but may usually be about 0.05 to about 50 mg/kg, preferably about 0.1 to about 20 mg/kg, per day.

The compound(I) and a salt thereof may be administered either orally or parenterally. When administrated orally, the pharmaceutical preparation may be in the solid form such as tablets, powders, capsules or suppositories. These preparations may contain pharmaceutical excipient, binder, diluent, disintegrator or lubricant. The pharmaceutical preparation for oral administration may also be in liquid form such as aqueous or oily suspension, solution, sirup or elixir. Moreover, when administered parenterally, the pharmaceutical preparation may be used in the form of injections.

Concomitantly, the starting compound (III) in which R¹ and R² are hydrogen atom may be prepared by the steps of reacting a pyridine compound of the formula: ##STR7## wherein Ring A and n are the same as defined above, with an iso (thio) cyanate compound of the formula:

    Z═C═NCH.sub.z CH(OR.sup.3).sub.2                   (VII)

wherein R³ is an alkyl group and z is oxygen atom or sulfur atom, in an inert solvent, treating the thus-obtained (thio) urea compound with an organic or inorganic acid to give the corresponding cyclic compound, and when Z is oxgen atom, further treating the cyclic compound with a sulfur agent such as Lawesson's Reagent [2,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dithia-2,4-diphosphetane-2,4-disulfide], 2,4-diethoxy-1,3-dithia-2,4-diphosphetane-2,4-disulfide or phosphorus pentasulfide. Alternatively, the starting compound (III) in which R¹ and R² are combined together to form a group of the formula: --(CH₂)_(q) --, (wherein q is the same as defined above) may be prepared by condensing 2-aminocyclohexanone or 2-aminocyclopentanone with a compound of the formula: ##STR8## wherein Ring A and n are the same as defined above, in the presence of triethylamine, and dehydrating the product in the same manner as described in the dehydration reaction of the imidazole derivative (V). The starting compound (V) may be prepared by condensing 2-aminocyclohexanone or 2-aminocyclopentanone with the compound (VIII) in the presence of triethylamine, and then condensing the product with the toluene compound (IV).

Practical and presently preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustratively shown in the following Examples.

EXAMPLE 1

(1) 3.0 g of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-mercaptoimidazole are dissolved in 50 ml of ethanol, and 16.9 ml of a 2N-- aqueous sodium hydroxide solution are added thereto under ice-cooling. 3.84 g of m-dimethylaminobenzyl chloride hydrochloride are added to the mixture and stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. After the solvent is distilled off, water is added to the residue, and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane, whereby 3.95 g of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(3-dimethylaminobenzylthio)imidazole are obtained.

Yield 75%:

M.p. 79°-80° C.

(2) A solution of 3.73 g of the product obtained above in 100 ml of methylene chloride is cooled to -40° C. under argon gas atmosphere. 5.32 g of 80% m-chloroperbenzoic acid are added thereto gradually. The mixture is stirred at the same temperature for 1 hour. The reaction mixture is washed with a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is recrystallized from methanol, whereby 1.48 g of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(3-dimethylaminobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole are obtained.

Yield 55%:

M.p. 177°-179° C.

EXAMPLES 2 to 25

(1) The corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(1) to give the compounds shown in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR9##                                                                       ##STR10##                                                                     (wherein n = 2 in Example 9, n = 1 in Example 14, and n = 0 in                 Example 1 to 8, 10 to 13, and 15 to 25)                                               Compound (II-a)                                                         Ex. Nos.                                                                              Ring A           Properties*                                            ______________________________________                                          2-(1)                                                                                 ##STR11##       M.p. 62 to 64° C. (recrystallized from                                  n-hexane)                                               3-(1)                                                                                 ##STR12##       oil                                                     4-(1)                                                                                 ##STR13##                                                                                       ##STR14##                                              5-(1)                                                                                 ##STR15##                                                                                       ##STR16##                                              6-(1)                                                                                 ##STR17##       M.p. 158 to 160° C. (recrystallized from                                methanol, chloroform and isopropyl ether)               7-(1)                                                                                 ##STR18##       oil                                                     8-(1)                                                                                 ##STR19##       M.p. 51 to 53.5° C.  (recystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                             9-(1)                                                                                 ##STR20##                                                                                       ##STR21##                                             10-(1)                                                                                 ##STR22##       oil; NMR δ: 2.67(s, 6H, N(CH.sub.3).sub.2),                              .56(s, 2H, SCH.sub.2) Mass(m/e): 390,388(M.sup.+),                              134                                                   11-(1)                                                                                 ##STR23##       M.p. 130 to 132° C. (recrystallized from                                ethanol)                                               12-(1)                                                                                 ##STR24##                                                                                       ##STR25##                                             13-(1)                                                                                 ##STR26##       M.p. 70 to 72° C. (recrystallized from                                  ethyl acetate and isopropyl ether)                     14-(1)                                                                                 ##STR27##                                                                                       ##STR28##                                             15-(1)                                                                                 ##STR29##       oil; NMR, δ: 2.68(s, 6H, N(CH.sub.3).sub.2),                              4.58(s, 2H, SCH.sub.2) Mass(m/e): 310(M.sup.+)        16-(1)                                                                                 ##STR30##       oil; NMR, δ: 2.67(s, 6H, N(CH.sub.3).sub.2),                              4.56(s, 2H, SCH.sub.2) Mass(m/e): 344,                                        346(M.sup.+)                                           17-(1)                                                                                 ##STR31##                                                                                       ##STR32##                                             18-(1)                                                                                 ##STR33##       oil; NMR, δ: 2.60(s, 6H, N(CH.sub.3).sub.2),                              4.45(s, 2H, SCH.sub.2) Mass(m/e): 310(M.sup.+)        19-(1)                                                                                 ##STR34##       oil; NMR, δ: 2.57(s, 6H, N(CH.sub.3).sub.2),                              4.38(s, 2H, SCH.sub.2) Mass(m/e): 310(M.sup.+)        20-(1)                                                                                 ##STR35##       M.p. 140 to 142° C. (recrystallized from                                chloroform and ethanol)                                21-(1)                                                                                 ##STR36##                                                                                       ##STR37##                                             22-(1)                                                                                 ##STR38##       oil; NMR, δ: 2.68(s, 6H, N(CH.sub.3).sub.2),                              3.85(s, 3H, OCH.sub.3), 4.58(s, 2H, SCH.sub.2)                                Mass(m/e): 340(M.sup.+)                                23-(1)                                                                                 ##STR39##                                                                                       ##STR40##                                             24-(1)                                                                                 ##STR41##       oil; NMR, δ: 2.63(s, 6H, N(CH.sub.3).sub.2),                              3.81(s, 3H, OCH.sub.3), 4.48(s, 2H, SCH.sub.2)                                Mass(m/e): 340(M.sup.+)                                25-(1)                                                                                 ##STR42##                                                                                       ##STR43##                                             ______________________________________                                          *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

(2) The products obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give the compounds shown in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR44##                                                                     (wherein n = 2 in Example 9, n = 1 in Example 14, and n = 0 in                 Examples 1 to 8, 10 to 13, and 15 to 25)                                       Ex.   Compound (I-a)                                                           Nos.  Ring A           Properties*                                             ______________________________________                                          2-(2)                                                                                ##STR45##       M.p. 122 to 124.5° C. (recrystallized from                              ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                              3-(2)                                                                                ##STR46##       M.p. 107 to 111° C. (recrystallized from                                chloroform, isopropyl ether and n-hexane)                4-(2)                                                                                ##STR47##       M.p. 124 to 128° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate)                                           5-(2)                                                                                ##STR48##       M.p. 106 to 110° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate)                                           6-(2)                                                                                ##STR49##                                                                                       ##STR50##                                               7-(2)                                                                                ##STR51##       M.p. 117 to 119° C. (recrystallized from                                chloroform and isopropyl ether)                          8-(2)                                                                                ##STR52##       M.p. 81.5 to 83.5° C. (recrystallized from                              ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                              9-(2)                                                                                ##STR53##                                                                                       ##STR54##                                              10-(2)                                                                                ##STR55##       M.p. 73 to 75° C. (recrystallized from                                  chloroform and n-hexane)                                11-(2)                                                                                ##STR56##       M.p. 137 to 139° C. (recrystallized from                                chloroform and n-hexane)                                12-(2)                                                                                ##STR57##       M.p. 102 to 104° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                             13-(2)                                                                                ##STR58##       M.p. 95.5 to 97° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                             14-(2)                                                                                ##STR59##       M.p. 93 to 94° C. (recrystallized from                                  ethyl acetate and ether)                                15-(2)                                                                                ##STR60##       M.p. 104 to 105° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                             16-(2)                                                                                ##STR61##       oil; NMR, δ: 2.62(s, 6H, N(CH.sub.3).sub.2),                             4.80(ABq, 2H, J=12.5Hz, SCH.sub.2)                      17-(2)                                                                                ##STR62##       oil; NMR, δ: 2.38(s, 3H, CH.sub.3), 2.63(s,                              6H, N(CH.sub.3).sub.2), 4.85(ABq, 2H, J=12.5Hz,                                SCH.sub.2)                                              18-(2)                                                                                ##STR63##       M.p. 102 to 104° C. (recrystallized from                                chloroform and isopropyl ether)                         19-(2)                                                                                ##STR64##                                                                                       ##STR65##                                              20-(2)                                                                                ##STR66##       M.p. 133 to 135° C. (recrystallized from                                chloroform and isopropyl ether)                         21-(2)                                                                                ##STR67##       Oxalate** M.p. 96 to 100° C.(decomp.)            22-(2)                                                                                ##STR68##       M.p. 117 to 120° C. (recrystallized from                                isopropyl alcohol and isopropyl ether)                  23-(2)                                                                                ##STR69##       Oxalate** M.p. 82 to 84° C.(decomp.)             24-(2)                                                                                ##STR70##                                                                                       ##STR71##                                              25-(2)                                                                                ##STR72##                                                                                       ##STR73##                                              ______________________________________                                          *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

(wherein n=2 in Example 9, n=1 in Example 14, and n=0 in Examples 1 to 8, 10 to 13, and 15 to 25)

EXAMPLES 26 TO 31

(1) The corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(1) to give the compounds shown in Table 3.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR74##                                                                      ##STR75##                                                                     (wherein n = 0)                                                                Ex.   Compound(II-b)                                                           Nos.  Ring A        Properties*                                                ______________________________________                                         26-(1)                                                                                ##STR76##                                                                                    ##STR77##                                                 27-(1)                                                                                ##STR78##                                                                                    ##STR79##                                                 28-(1)                                                                                ##STR80##                                                                                    ##STR81##                                                 29-(1)                                                                                ##STR82##                                                                                    ##STR83##                                                 30-(1)                                                                                ##STR84##    oil                                                        31-(1)                                                                                ##STR85##                                                                                    ##STR86##                                                 ______________________________________                                          *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

(2) The products obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give the compounds shown in Table 4.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR87##                                                                     (wherein n = 0)                                                                Ex.   Compound(I-b)                                                            Nos.  Ring A        Properties*                                                ______________________________________                                         26-(2)                                                                                ##STR88##    M.p. 110 to 112° C. (recrystallized from                                ether)                                                     27-(2)                                                                                ##STR89##    M.p. 81 to 83° C. (recrystallized from ether                            and n-hexane)                                              28-(2)                                                                                ##STR90##    M.p. 99 to 100° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                           acetate and n-hexane)                                      29-(2)                                                                                ##STR91##                                                                                    ##STR92##                                                 30-(2)                                                                                ##STR93##    M.p. 121 to 123° C. (recrystallized from                                isopropyl ether)                                           31-(2)                                                                                ##STR94##    M.p. 115 to 116° C. (recrystallized from                                methylene chloride and n-hexane)                           ______________________________________                                          *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

EXAMPLES 32 TO 50

(1) The corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(I) to give the compounds shown in Table 5.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR95##                                                                      ##STR96##                                                                     (wherein n = 1 in Example 41, and n = 0 in                                     Examples 32 to 40 and 42 to 50)                                                Ex.   Compound(II-c)                                                           Nos.  Ring A         Properties*                                               ______________________________________                                         32-(1)                                                                                ##STR97##     M.p. 138.5 to 140° C. (recrystallized from                              chloroform and n-hexane)                                  33-(1)                                                                                ##STR98##     M.p. 148 to 150° C.  (recrystallized from                               chloroform and n-hexane)                                  34-(1)                                                                                ##STR99##     M.p. 148 to 151° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                               35-(1)                                                                                ##STR100##    M.p. 119 to 121.5° C. (recrystallized from                              ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                               36-(1)                                                                                ##STR101##    oil                                                       37-(1)                                                                                ##STR102##    M.p. 191 to 193° C. (recrystallized from                                chloroform and n-hexane)                                  38-(1)                                                                                ##STR103##    oil; NMR,δ: 2.91(m, 4H, NCH.sub.2), 3.80(m,                              4H, OCH.sub.2), 4.38(q, 2H, OCH.sub.2 CF.sub.3),                               4.57(s, 2H, SCH.sub.2) Mass(m/e): 450(M.sup.+), 175       39-(1)                                                                                ##STR104##    M.p. 103 to 105° C.  (recrystallized from                               ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                               40-(1)                                                                                ##STR105##    oil                                                       41-(1)                                                                                ##STR106##    oil; NMR, δ: 4.39(s, 2H, SCH.sub.2), 5.04(s,                             2H, NCH.sub.2 N) Mass(m/e): 367(M.sup.+ + 1), 175         42-(1)                                                                                ##STR107##    M.p. 137 to 138° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                               43-(1)                                                                                ##STR108##    oil; NMR, δ: 2.06(s, 3H, CH.sub.3), 4.44(s,                              2H, SCH.sub.2) Mass(m/e): 366(M.sup.+), 175               44-(1)                                                                                ##STR109##    M.p. 109 to 111° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                               45-(1)                                                                                ##STR110##    M.p. 98 to 100° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                           acetate and isopropyl ether)                              46-(1)                                                                                ##STR111##    M.p. 114 to 116° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                               47-(1)                                                                                ##STR112##    M.p. 126 to 128° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                               48-(1)                                                                                ##STR113##    M.p. 124 to 126° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                               49-(1)                                                                                ##STR114##    M.p. 199 to 202° C. (recrystallized from                                chloroform and n-hexane)                                  50-(1)                                                                                ##STR115##    M.p. 112 to 113° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate, ether and n-hexane)                        ______________________________________                                          *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

(2) The products obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give the compounds shown in Table 6.

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR116##                                                                    (wherein n = 1 in Example 41, and n = 0 in                                     Examples 32 to 40 and 42 to 50)                                                Ex.   Compound(I-c)                                                            Nos.  Ring A         Properties*                                               ______________________________________                                         32-(2)                                                                                ##STR117##    M.p. 143 to 144.5° C. (recrystallized from                              chloroform and n-hexane)                                  33-(2)                                                                                ##STR118##    M.p. 143 to 145° C. (recrystallized from                                chloroform and n-hexane)                                  34-(2)                                                                                ##STR119##    M.p. 143.5 to 144.5° C. (recrystallized from                            chloroform and n-hexane)                                  35-(2)                                                                                ##STR120##    M.p. 139 to 141° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                               36-(2)                                                                                ##STR121##    M.p. 178 to 183° C. (recrystallized from                                chloroform, isopropyl ether and n-hexane)                 37-(2)                                                                                ##STR122##    M.p. 161 to 164° C.(decomp. recrystallized                              from methanol, chloroform and n-hexane)                   38-(2)                                                                                ##STR123##    M.p. 140 to 144° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                               39-(2)                                                                                ##STR124##    M.p. 151 to 152° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate)                                            40-(2)                                                                                ##STR125##    M.p. 91 to 96° C. (recrystallized from                                  isopropyl ether)                                          41-(2)                                                                                ##STR126##    oil; NMR δ: 4.81(ABq, 2H, SCH.sub.2),                                    5.35(ABq, 2H, NCH.sub.2 N) Mass(m/e): 383(M.sup.+ +                            1), 176                                                   42-(2)                                                                                ##STR127##    M.p. 150 to 152° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate)                                            43-(2)                                                                                ##STR128##    M.p. 129 to 130° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                               44-(2)                                                                                ##STR129##    M.p. 155.5 to 157.5° C. (recrystallized from                            chloroform and n-hexane)                                  45-(2)                                                                                ##STR130##    M.p. 135 to 137° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate)                                            46-(2)                                                                                ##STR131##    M.p. 124 to 126° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                               47-(2)                                                                                ##STR132##    M.p. 133 to 135° C.  (recrystallized from                               ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                               48-(2)                                                                                ##STR133##    M.p. 130 to 132° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                               49-(2)                                                                                ##STR134##    M.p. 179.5 to 181.5° C. (recrystallized from                            chloroform and ethanol)                                   50-(2)                                                                                ##STR135##    M.p. 112 to 115° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate)                                            ______________________________________                                          *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

(wherein n=1 in Example 41, and n=0 in Examples 32 to 40 and 42 to 50)

EXAMPLES 51 TO 58

(1) The corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(1) to give the compounds shown in Table 7.

                                      TABLE 7                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR136##                                                                     ##STR137##                                                                    (wherein n = 0)                                                                      Compound(II-d)                                                           Ex. Nos.                                                                             Ring A       Properties*                                                 __________________________________________________________________________     51-(1)                                                                                ##STR138##  oil; NMR, δ :1.30-1.90(m,6H,CH.sub.2), 2.36(s,3H,                        CCH.sub.3),2.60-3.00(m,4H, NCH.sub.2),4.54(s,2H,SCH.sub                        . 2) Mass(m/e):364(M.sup.+ ),173                            52-(1)                                                                                ##STR139##  M.p. 99 to 100° C. (recrystallized from                                 isopropyl ether)                                            53-(1)                                                                                ##STR140##  oil; NMR, δ :1.20-1.84(m,6H,CH.sub.2), 2.31(s,3H,                        CH.sub.3),2.49(s,3H,CH.sub.3) 2.68-2.97(m,4H,NCH.sub.2)                        ,4.53(s,2H,SCH.sub. 2) Mass(m/e):379(M.sup.+ +1),173        54-(1)                                                                                ##STR141##  oil; NMR, δ :1.30-1.85(m,6H,CH.sub.2), 2.50-2.95(                        m,4H,NCH.sub.2),3,96(s,3H,OCH.sub.3), 4.59(s,2H,SCH.sub                        . 2) Mass(m/e):380(M.sup.+),173                             55-(1)                                                                                ##STR142##  oil; NMR, δ :1.33-1.73(m,6H,CH.sub.2), 2.05(s,3H,                        CCH.sub.3),2.70-2.76(m,4H, NCH.sub.2),4.43(s,2H,SCH.sub                        . 2) Mass(m/e):364(M.sup.+),173                             56-(1)                                                                                ##STR143##  M.p. 123.5 to 125.5° C. (recrystallized from                            ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                                 57-(1)                                                                                ##STR144##  oil; NMR, δ :1.60(br,6H,CH.sub.2), 2.48(s,3H,CCH.                        sub.3),2.77-2.88(m,4H, NCH.sub.2),3.80(s,3H,OCH.sub.3                          ),4.55(s,2H,SCH.sub. 2) Mass(m/e):394(M.sup.+),173          58-(1)                                                                                ##STR145##  M.p. 115 to 117° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                          acetate and n-hexane)                                       __________________________________________________________________________      *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

(2) The products obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give the compounds shown in Table 8.

                                      TABLE 8                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR146##                                                                    (wherein n = 0)                                                                      Compound(I-d)                                                            Ex. Nos.                                                                             Ring A        Properties*                                                __________________________________________________________________________     51-(2)                                                                                ##STR147##   M.p. 62 to 64° C. (recrystallized from                                  chloroform and isopropyl ether)                            52-(2)                                                                                ##STR148##   M.p. 108 to 111° C. (recrystallized from                                isopropyl alcohol and isopropyl ether)                     53-(2)                                                                                ##STR149##   M.p. 143 to 145° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                          acetate)                                                   54-(2)                                                                                ##STR150##   M.p. 152 to 153° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                          acetate)                                                   55-(2)                                                                                ##STR151##   M.p. 94 to 96° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                            acetate and n-hexane)                                      56-(2)                                                                                ##STR152##   oil; NMR, δ :1.4-1.8(m,6H,CH.sub.2), 2.5-2.9(m,4                         H,NCH.sub.2),3.80(s,3H,OCH.sub.3), 4.75(ABq,2H,SCH.sub                         . 2) FABMass(m/e):397(M.sup.+ +1),174                      57-(2)                                                                                ##STR153##   M.p. 129 to 131° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                          acetate)                                                   58-(2)                                                                                ##STR154##   M.p. 94 to 96° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                            acetate and n-hexane)                                      __________________________________________________________________________      *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

EXAMPLES 59 TO 64

(1) The corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(1) to give the compounds shown in Table 9.

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR155##                                                                     ##STR156##                                                                    Ex.  Compound(II-e)                                                            Nos. R             Properties*                                                 ______________________________________                                         59-  N(n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7).sub.2                                                                   oil; NMR, δ :0.79(t,6H,J=7Hz,CCH.sub.3),              (1)                4.61(s,2H,SCH.sub. 2)                                                          Mass(m/e):367(M.sup.+ +1),190                               60-  CH.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                   M.p. 48 to 52° C. (recrystallized                    (1)                from ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                            61- (1)                                                                              ##STR157##   oil; NMR, δ :1.0-2.1(m,10H,CH.sub.2), 3.1-3.5(br,                        1H,CHN), 4.44(s,2H,SCH.sub. 2),4.7-5.0(br,1H,NH)                               Mass(m/e):364(M.sup.+),188                                  62- (1)                                                                              ##STR158##   oil; NMR, δ :4.23(s,2H,SCH.sub.                                          2) Mass(m/e):333(M.sup.+)                                   63-  H             M.p. 69 to 71° C. (recrystallized                    (1)                from isopropyl ether and n-hexane)                          64-  OCH.sub.3     M.p. 68 to 70° C. (recrystallized                    (1)                from ether and isopropyl ether)                             ______________________________________                                          *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

(2) The products obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give the compounds shown in Table 10.

                  TABLE 10                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR159##                                                                    Ex.   Compound(I-e)                                                            Nos.  R             Properties*                                                ______________________________________                                         59-(2)                                                                               N(n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7).sub.2                                                                   oil; NMR, δ :0.76(t,6H,J=7Hz,                                            CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3),4.88(ABq,2H,SCH.sub.2)                             IRν.sub.max.sup.liquid (cm.sup.-1): 1050 (SO)           60-(2)                                                                               CH.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                   M.p. 96 to 97.5° C. (recrystallized                                     from ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                           61-(2)                                                                                ##STR160##   oil; NMR, δ :3.05-3.45(m,1H,CH), 4.65(ABq,2H,SCH                         .sub.2), 5.30(br,1H,NH) IRν.sub.max.sup.liquid                              (cm.sup.-1): 3320,1040                                     62-(2)                                                                                ##STR161##   M.p. 188 to 190° C. (recrystallized from                                ethanol)                                                   63-(2)                                                                               H             M.p. 151 to 153° C. (recrystallized                                     from ethanol and ether)                                    64-(2)                                                                               OCH.sub.3     M.p. 148 to 151° C. (recrystallized                                     from ethanol)                                              ______________________________________                                          *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

EXAMPLES 65 TO 66

(1) The corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(1) to give the ds shown in Table 11.

                  TABLE 11                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR162##                                                                     ##STR163##                                                                    Ex.   Compound(II-f)                                                           Nos.  R           Properties*                                                  ______________________________________                                         65-(1)                                                                               N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                          oil; NMR, δ :1.70-1.97(m,4H,CH.sub.2),2.40-                              2.87(m,4H,CCH.sub.2),                                                          2.60(s,6H,N(CH.sub.3).sub.2),4.39(s,2H,SCH.sub. 2)                             Mass(m/e):3.64(M.sup.+),134                                  66-(1)                                                                                ##STR164## oil: NMR, δ :1.76-1.89(m,4H,CH.sub.2),2.43-                              2.71(m,4H,CCH.sub.2), 2.73-2.87(m,4H,N(CH.sub.2),3.68-                         3.81(m,4H,OCH.sub.2),4.40(s,2H,SCH.sub.                                        2) Mass(m/e):406(M.sup.+)                                    ______________________________________                                          *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

(2) The products obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give the compounds shown in Table 12.

                  TABLE 12                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR165##                                                                            Compound(I-f)                                                          Ex. Nos.                                                                               R            Properties*                                               ______________________________________                                         65-(2)  N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                           oil: NMR, δ :2.59(s,6H,N(CH.sub.3).sub.2),                               4.80(ABq,2H,SCH.sub. 2)                                                        FABMass(m/e):381(M.sup.+ +1)                              66-(2)                                                                                  ##STR166##  oil; NMR, δ :4.82(ABq,2H,SCH.sub.                                        2) FABMass(m/e):423(M.sup.+ +1)                           ______________________________________                                          *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

EXAMPLE 67

(1) A solution of 7.53 g of 2-(2-dimethylaminobenzylthio)-1,3a,4,5,6,6a-hexahydro-6a-hydroxy-1-(2-pyridyl)cyclopenta[d]imidazole and a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid in 100 ml of toluene is refluxed for 1 hour. The reaction mixture is evaporated to remove the solvent, water is added to the residue, and the aqueous mixture is neutralized with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The mixture is extracted with chloroform. The extract is dried and evaporated to remove the solvent, whereby 3.94 g of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-(2-dimethylaminobenzylthio)-1-(2-pyridyl)cyclopenta[d]imidazole are obtained.

Yield 55%.

M.p. 115° to 117° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate and n-hexane).

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-(2-dimethylaminobenzylsulfinyl)-1-(2-pyridyl)cyclopenta[d]imidazole.

Yield 74%.

M.p. 139.5° to 141° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate and n-hexane).

EXAMPLE 68 TO 70

(1) The corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Example 67-(1) to give the compounds shown in Table 13.

                  TABLE 13                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR167##                                                                     ##STR168##                                                                    Ex.   Compound (II-g)                                                          Nos.  R            Properties                                                  ______________________________________                                         68-(1)                                                                               N(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2                                                                    M.p. 106 to 108° C. (recrystallized                                     from ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                            69-(1)                                                                                ##STR169##  M.p. 120 to 122.5° C. (recrystallized from                              ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                                 70-(1)                                                                                ##STR170##  M.p. 115 to 116° C. (recrystallized from                                isopropyl ether)                                            ______________________________________                                    

(2) The products obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give the compounds shown in Table 14.

                  TABLE 14                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR171##                                                                    Ex.   Compound (I-g)                                                           Nos.  R            Properties                                                  ______________________________________                                         68-(2)                                                                               N(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2                                                                    M.p. 107 to 109° C. (recrystallized                                     from ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                            69-(2)                                                                                ##STR172##  M.p. 147 to 148.5° C. (recrystallized from                              ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                                 70-(2)                                                                                ##STR173##  M.p. 135 to 136.5° C. (recrystallized from                              ethyl acetate)                                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 71

(1) 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-mercaptoimidazole and (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)sulfonylaminobenzyl chloride are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(1) to give 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-[2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)sulfonylaminobenzylthio]imidazole.

Yield 87%.

M.p. 154° to 156° C. (recrystallized from isopropyl alcohol).

(2) A mixture of 2 g of the product obtained above, 2.5 ml of anisole and 15 ml of methanesulfonic acid is stirred at room temperature for 20 hours. After the reaction, the mixture is added to water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent, whereby 1.1 g of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-aminobenzylthio)imidazole are obtained as an oil.

Yield 93%.

Mass(m/e):282(M⁺), 106.

¹ H-NMR(CDCl₃,δ):3.9(br,2H,NH₂), 4.43(s,2H,SCH₂).

(3) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-aminobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

M.p. 145° to 146° C. (recrystallized from isopropyl alcohol).

EXAMPLE 72

(1) A mixture of 4.8 g of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-aminobenzylthio)imidazole, 5 ml of acetic acid anhydride and 50 ml of pyridine is stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solvent is distilled off, and the residue is crystallized with toluene and collected by filtration, whereby 4.31 g of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-acetylaminobenzylthio)imidazole are obtained.

Yield 78%.

M.p. 150° to 151° C. (recrystallized from isopropyl alcohol).

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-acetylaminobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

M.p. 172° to 173° C. (recrystallized from isopropyl alcohol).

EXAMPLE 73

(1) 100 mg of 60% sodium hydride are suspended in 2 ml of dimethyl formamide, and a solution of one g of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-[2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)sulfonylaminobenzylthio]imidazole in 2 ml of dimethyl formamide is added thereto under ice-cooling. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes, and 320 mg of methyl iodide are added thereto. The mixture is stirred for 2 hours. The reaction mixture is poured into water, and the resultant oily product is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is dried and evaporated. The residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent; n-hexane:ethyl acetate=3:2 ), whereby 0.76 g of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-{2-[N-methyl-N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)sulfonylamino]benzylthio}imidazole is obtained.

M.p. 131° to 133° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate).

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 71-(2) to give 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-methylaminobenzylthio)imidazole as an oil.

Yield 92%.

Mass(m/e):296(M⁺), 120.

¹ H-NMR(CDCl₃,δ):2.83(d,3H,J=3 Hz,NCH₃),4.42(s,2H,SCH₂), 5.20(br,1H,NH).

(3) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-methylaminobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

M.p. 135° to 137° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate).

EXAMPLE 74

(1) 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-acetylaminobenzylthio)imidazole is treated in the same manner as described in Example 73-(1) to give 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-[N-methyl-N-acetylamino)benzylthio]imidazole as an oil.

Yield 78%.

Mass(m/e):338(M⁺), 120.

¹ H-NMR(CDCl₃,δ): 1.76(s,3H,COCH₃,3.20(s,3H,NCH₃), 4.39(s,2H,SCH₂).

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-[2-(N-methyl-N-yacetylamino)benzylsulfinyl]imidazole.

M.p. 188° to 189° C. (recrystallized from chloroform and isopropyl ethyl).

EXAMPLE 75

(1) 2-(2-phthalimidobenzylthio)-1,3a,4,5,6,6a-hexahydro-6a-hydroxy-1-(2-pyridyl)cyclopenta[d]imidazole is treated in the same manner as described in Example 67-(1) to give 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(phthalimidobenzylthio)cyclopenta[d]imidazole.

M.p. 196° to 197° C. (recrystallized from chloroform and ethyl acetate).

(2) A mixture of 1.80 g of the product obtained above, 0.22 g of hydrazine hydrate and 100 ml of methanol is refluxed for 5 hours. After the reaction mixture is cooled, the solvent is distilled off, and methylene chloride is added to the residue. Insoluble materials are filtered off. The filtrate is washed with water, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The crystalline residue is recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane, whereby 1.06 g of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-aminobenzylthio)cyclopenta[d]imidazole are obtained as pale yellow plates.

Yield 83%.

M.p. 121° to 123° C.

(3) A solution of 0.27 g of acetyl chloride in 5 ml of methylene chloride is added dropwise to 20 ml of methylene chloride containing 1.0 g of the product obtained above and 0.35 g of triethylamine. Said dropwise addition is carried out under ice-cooling. After 1 hour, the reaction mixture is washed with a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The crystalline residue is recrystallized from a mixture of chloroform and ethyl acetate, whereby 0.83 g of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(acetylaminobenzylthio)cyclopenta[d]imidazole is obtained.

Yield 74%.

M.p. 214 to 217 (decomp.).

(4) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(acetylaminobenzylsulfinyl)cyclopenta[d]imidazole.

M.p. 188° to 191° C. (decomp., recrystallized from ethyl acetate and n-hexane).

EXAMPLE 76

(1) 1-(4-pyridyl)-2-mercaptoimidazole and 2-phthalimidobenzyl chloride are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(1) to give 1-(4-pyridyl)-2-(2-phthalimidobenzylthio)imidazole.

M.p. 145° to 147° C. (recrystallized from ethanol).

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 75-(2) to give 1-(4-pyridyl)-2-(2-aminobenzylthio)imidazole as an oil.

Mass(m/e):282(M⁺), 106.

¹ H-NMR(CDCl₃,δ):4.21(br,2H,NH₂),4.30(s,2H,SCH₂).

(3) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 75-(3) to give 1-(4-pyridyl)-2-(2-acetylaminobenzylthio)imidazole.

M.p. 153° to 155° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate and n-hexane).

(4) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(4-pyridyl)-2-(2-acetylaminobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

M.p. 147° to 149° C. (recrystallized from isopropyl alcohol and isopropyl ether).

EXAMPLE 77

(1) 1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-mercaptoimidazole and 2-phthalimidobenzyl chloride are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(1) to give 1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-(2-phthalimidobenzylthio)imidazole.

M.p. 80° to 83° C. (recrystallized from ethanol).

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 75-(2) to give 1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-(2-aminobenzylthio)imidazole as an oil.

Mass(m/e) 296(M⁺), 106.

¹ H-NMR(CDCl₃,δ):4.21(s,2H,SCH₂),4.31(br,2H,NH₂), 5.10(s,2H,NCH₂).

(3) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-(2-aminobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

Mass(m/e):312(M⁺), 106.

¹ H-NMR(CDCl₃,δ):4.26(br,2H,NH₂),4.59(ABq,2H,NCH₂), 5.29(ABq,2H,NCH₂).

EXAMPLE 78

(1) A solution containing n-butyl lithium (15%) in 14.3 ml of a n-hexane are added at -60° C. to 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran containing 4.33 g of o-(N-methyl-N-phenylamino)benzylalcohol. After 20 minutes, 2.67 g of triethylamine are added to the mixture, and a solution of 5.03 g of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuran is added dropwise thereto. The mixture is stirred at -20° C. for 1 hour. 5.0 g of triethylamine and 3.59 g of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-mercaptoimidazole are further added thereto. After 2 hours, ethyl acetate is added to the reaction mixture. Then, the mixture is washed with water, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is purified by column chromatography (solvent; ethyl acetate:chloroform=1:9 ), whereby 4.55 g of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(N-methyl-N-phenylaminobenzylthio)imidazole are obtained.

Yield 60%.

M.p. 90° to 92° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate and n-hexane).

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(N-methyl-N-phenylaminobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

M.p. 137° to 139° C. (recrystallized from isopropyl alcohol and n-hexane).

EXAMPLES 79 TO 84

(1) The corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Example 78-(1) to give the compounds shown in Table 15.

                  TABLE 15                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR174##                                                                     ##STR175##                                                                    Ex.   Compound (II-h)                                                          Nos.  Ring A         Properties*                                               ______________________________________                                         79-(1)                                                                                ##STR176##    oil; NMR,δ:3.96(s,3H,OCH.sub.3), 4.33(s,2H,                              SCH.sub.2), 6.27(t,2H,CH) Mass(m/e):362(M.sup.+)          80-(1)                                                                                ##STR177##    oil; NMR,δ:2.38(s,3H,CCH.sub.3), 4.26(s,2H,                              SCH.sub.2), 6.25(t,2H,CH) 6.81(t,2H,NCH)  Mass(m/e):3                          49(M.sup.+),192                                           81-(1)                                                                                ##STR178##    oil; NMR,δ:2.03(s,3H,CCH.sub.3), 4.11(s,2H,                              SCH.sub.2), 6.23(t,2H,CH) 6.71(t,2H,NCH) Mass(m/e):34                          6(M.sup.+),192                                            82-(1)                                                                                ##STR179##    oil; NMR,δ:379(s,3H,OCH.sub.3), 4.38(s,2H,                               SCH.sub.2), 6.24(t,2H,CH) 6.72(t,2H,NCH) Mass(m/e):36                          2(M.sup.+),208                                            83-(1)                                                                                ##STR180##    oil                                                       84-(1)                                                                                ##STR181##                                                                                    ##STR182##                                                                    Mass(m/e):332(M.sup.+),156                                ______________________________________                                          *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

(2) The products obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give the compounds shown in Table 16.

                  TABLE 16                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR183##                                                                    Ex.   Compound (I-h)                                                           Nos.  Ring A        Properties*                                                ______________________________________                                         79-(2)                                                                                ##STR184##   M.p. 112 to 114° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                          acetate and n-hexane)                                      80-(2)                                                                                ##STR185##   M.p. 106 to 120° C. (recrystallized from                                chloroform and n-hexane)                                   81-(2)                                                                                ##STR186##   M.p. 113 to 115° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                          acetate and n-hexane)                                      82-(2)                                                                                ##STR187##                                                                                   ##STR188##                                                                    Mass(m/e):379(M.sup.+),156                                 83-(2)                                                                                ##STR189##   M.p. 127 to 128.5° C. (recrystallized from                              ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                                84-(2)                                                                                ##STR190##   M.p. 116 to 118° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                          acetate and n-hexane)                                      ______________________________________                                          *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

EXAMPLE 85

(1) 19.6 g of 1-(5-nitro-2-pyridyl)-2-[2-dimethylamino)benzylthio]imidazole are dissolved in 400 ml of the mixture of conc. hydrochloric acid and a 70% aqueous ethanol (1:5 ). A solution of 82.7 g of tin (II) chloride dihydrate in 100 ml of water is added dropwise thereto at 80° C., and the mixture is stirred for 1 hour at the same temperature. The reaction mixture is made alkaline with an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, and insoluble materials are filtered off. The filtrate is extracted with ethyl acetate, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography solvent; chloroform:methanol=30:1), and crystallized with ether. The crystals are collected by filtation, whereby 6.27 g of 1-(5-amino-2-pyridyl)-2-[2-(dimethylamino)benzylthio]imidazole are obtained.

M.p. 134° to 138° C.

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(5-amino-2-pyridyl)-2-[2-(dimethylamino)benzylsulfinyl]imidazole.

M.p. 140° to 143° C. (recrystallized from ethanol and ether).

(1) 1-(5-nitro-2-pyridyl)-2-mercaptoimidazole and 2-morpholinobenzyl chloride are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(1) to give 1-(5-nitro-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-morpholinobenzylthio)imidazole.

M.p. 199° to 202° C. (recrystallized from chloroform and n-hexane).

(2) 7.95 g of the product obtained above are dissolved in 120 ml of acetic acid, and subjected to catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of 2.5 g of 10% palladium-carbon at room temperature under atmospheric pressure. After the reaction, the catalyst is filtered off, and the filtrate is evaporated to remove the solvent. Water is added to the residue, and the aqueous mixture is neutralized with a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The crystalline precipitates are collected by filtration, and recrystallized from chloroform and n-hexane, whereby 5.92 g of 1-(5-amino-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-morpholinobenzylthio)imidazole are obtained.

Yield 81%.

M.p. 178° to 181° C.

(3) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(5-amino-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-morpholinobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

M.p. 190° to 192° C. (decomp. recrystallized from chloroform and n-hexane).

EXAMPLE 87

(1) 1-(5-amino-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-morpholinobenzylthio)imidazole is treated in the same manner as described in Example 75-(3) to give 1-(5-acetylamino-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-morpholinobenzylthio)imidazole.

Yield 78%.

M.p. 164° to 167° C. (recrystallized from chloroform and n-hexane).

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(5-acetylamino-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-morpholinobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

M.p. 207° to 209° C. (decomp. recrystallized from chloroform and n-hexane).

EXAMPLE 88 TO 91

(1) The corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(1) to give the compounds shown in Table 17.

                  TABLE 17                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR191##                                                                     ##STR192##                                                                    Ex.   Compound (II-i)                                                          Nos.  Ring A        Properties                                                 ______________________________________                                         88-(1)                                                                                ##STR193##   M.p. 106 to 107° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                          acetate)                                                   89-(1)                                                                                ##STR194##   M.p. 96 to 98° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                            acetate and n-hexane)                                      90-(1)                                                                                ##STR195##   M.p. 112 to 118° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                          acetate and n-hexane)                                      91-(1)                                                                                ##STR196##   M.p. 118 to 119° C. (recrystallized from                                ethanol and isopropyl ether)                               ______________________________________                                    

(2) The products obtained above are treated in the same manner s described in Example 86-(2) to give the compounds shown in Table 18.

                  TABLE 18                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR197##                                                                    Ex.   Compound (II-j)                                                          Nos.  Ring A        Properties*                                                ______________________________________                                         88-(2)                                                                                ##STR198##   M.p. 116 to 118° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                          acetate and n-hexane)                                      89-(2)                                                                                ##STR199##   M.p. 93 to 95° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                            acetate and n-hexane)                                      90-(2)                                                                                ##STR200##   M.p. 112 to 118° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                          acetate and n-hexane)                                      91-(2)                                                                                ##STR201##   oil; NMRδ:3.82(s,3H,OCH.sub.3,4.31 (s,2H,SCH.sub                         .2),4.40(br,2H,NH.sub.2) Mass(m/e):312(M.sup.+),           ______________________________________                                                             106                                                         *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

(3) The products obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 75-(3) to give the compounds shown in Table 19.

                  TABLE 19                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR202##                                                                    Ex.   Compound (II-k)                                                          Nos.  Ring A        Properties                                                 ______________________________________                                         88-(3)                                                                                ##STR203##   M.p. 173 to 175° C. (recrystallized from                                isopropyl alcohol and isopropyl ether)                     89-(3)                                                                                ##STR204##   M.p. 131 to 133° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                          acetate and n-hexane)                                      90-(3)                                                                                ##STR205##   M.p. 137 to 140.5° C. (recrystallized from                              ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                                91-(3)                                                                                ##STR206##   M.p. 147 to 149° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                          acetate)                                                   ______________________________________                                    

(4) The products obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give the compounds shown in Table 20.

                  TABLE 20                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR207##                                                                    Ex.  Compound (I-i)                                                            Nos. Ring A         Properties                                                 ______________________________________                                         88-(4)                                                                                ##STR208##   M.p. 192 to 194° C. (recrystallized from                                methylene chloride and n-hexane)                           89-(4)                                                                                ##STR209##   M.p. 185 to 193° C. (recrystallized from                                methylene chloride and n-hexane)                           90-(4)                                                                                ##STR210##   M.p. 155.5 to 157.5° C. (recrystallized from                            methylene chloride and n-hexane)                           91-(4)                                                                                ##STR211##   M.p. 110 to 113° C. (recrystallized from ethyl                          acetate)                                                   ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 92

(1) 1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-(2-aminobenzylthio)imidazole is treated in the same manner as described in Example 75-(3) to give 1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-(2-cetylaminobenzylthio)imidazole.

Mass(m/e):338(M⁺), 106.

¹ H-NMR(CDCl₃,δ): 2.29(s,3H,COCH₃), 4.31(s,2H,SCH₂),5.10(s,2H,NCH₂).

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-[2-acetylaminobenzylsulfinyl]imidazole.

M.p. 146° to 148° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate and n-hexane).

EXAMPLE 93

(1) 0.26 ml of acetyl chloride is added to a mixture of 0.98 g of 1-(5-amino-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-(dimethylamino)benzylthio)imidazole, 1 ml of triethylamine and 30 ml of methylene chloride under ice-cooling. The mixture is stirred at the same temperature for 2 hours, washed with water and a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography solvent; chloroform:methanol=30:1), and crystallized with isopropyl ether. The crystals are collected by filtration, whereby 0.82 g of 1-(5-acetylamino-2-pyridyl)-2-[2-(dimethylamino)benzylthio]imidazole is obtained.

M.p. 137° to 139° C.

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(5-acetylamino-2-pyridyl)-2-[2-(dimethylamino)benzylsulfinyl]imidazole.

M.p. 168° to 170° C. (recrystallized from ethanol and ether).

EXAMPLE 94

(1) 1.4 g of acetic acid anhydride are added to 2.5 ml of formic acid, and the mixture is stirred at 60° C. for 30 minutes. The reaction solution is cooled in an ice bath, a solution of 1.07 g of 1-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-aminobenzylthio)imidazole in 4 ml of formic acid is added thereto, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. After the reaction, the solvent is distilled off. Water is added to the residue, and the aqueous mixture is made alkaline with potassium carbonate. The mixture is then extracted with ethyl acetate, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent; ethyl acetate:n-hexane=1:1). The crude crystals obtained above are recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane, whereby 0.64 g of 1-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-formylaminobenzylthio)imidazole is obtained.

Yield 55%.

M.p. 124° to 126.5° C.

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-formylaminobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

M.p. 160° to 162° C. (decomp. recrystallized from methylene chloride and n-hexane).

EXAMPLE 95

(1) A solution of 1.7 g of potassium carbonate in 10 ml of water is added to 10 ml of methylene chloride containing 1.2 g of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-aminobenzylthio)imidazole. 0.65 g of benzoyl chloride is added thereto under vigourous stirring, the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. After the reaction, the organic layer is separated therefrom, washed with water, dried and evaporated to remove th solvent. The crude crystals obtained above are recrystallized from a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and isopropyl ether, whereby 1.55 g of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-benzoylaminobenzylthio)imidazole are obtained.

Yield 95%.

M.p. 132° to 133° C.

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(2-benzoylaminobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

M.p. 109° to 111° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate).

EXAMPLES 96 TO 97

(1) The corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Example 95-(1) to give the compounds shown in Table 21.

                  TABLE 21                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR212##                  (II-1)                                             ##STR213##                                                                    Ex.   Compound(II-1)                                                           Nos.  R             Properties                                                 ______________________________________                                         96-   NHCO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   M.p. 119 to 120° C. (recrystallized                 (1)                 from isopropyl alcohol and                                                     isopropyl ether)                                           97-   NHCOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          M.p. 98 to 100° C. (recrystallized                  (1)                 from isopropyl alcohol and                                                     isopropyl ether)                                           ______________________________________                                    

(2) The products obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give the compounds shown in Table 22.

                  TABLE 22                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR214##                   (I-j)                                            Ex.   Compound(I-j)                                                            Nos.  R           Properties                                                   ______________________________________                                         96-   NHCO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                 M.p. 109 to 112° C. (recrystallized -(2)  from                          ethyl acetate)                                               97-   NHCOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        M.p. 155 to 156° C. (recrystallized -(2)  from                          chloroform and isopropyl ether)                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 98

(1) 0.96 ml of acetyl chloride is added dropwise to 100 ml of methylene chloride containing 2.94 g of 1-(3-hydroxy-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-dimethylaminobenzylthio)imidazole and 3.76 ml of triethylamine. Said dropwise addition is carried out in under ice-cooling. After 2 hour, the reaction mixture is washed with water, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent; chloroform:acetone =30:1 ), and recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane, whereby 2.08 g of 1-(3-acetoxy-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-dimethylaminobenzylthio)imidazole are obtained as colorless needles.

Yield 63%.

M.p. 85° to 87° C.

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(3-acetoxy-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-dimethylaminobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole is obtained as an oil.

FABMass(m/e):385(M⁺ +1), 134.

¹ H-NMR(CDCl₃,δ): 2.19(s,3H,COCH₃),2.57(s,6H,N(CH₃)₂), 4.77(ABq,2H,SCH₂). Nujol

IR ν_(max) (cm⁻¹): 1770(NHCO ), 1045(S--O ).

EXAMPLE 99

(1) 1-(3-hydroxy-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-morpholinobenzylthio)imidazole is treated in the same manner as described in Example 98-(1) to give 1-(3-acetoxy-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-morpholinobenzylthio)imidazole.

Yield 73%.

M.p. 89° to 91° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate and n-hexane).

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(3-acetoxy-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-morpholinobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

M.p. 104° to 107° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate and n-hexane).

EXAMPLE 100

(1) 0.48 g of methanesulfonyl chloride is added to 10 ml of methylene chloride containing 1.09 g of 1-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-aminobenzylthio)imidazole and 0.5 ml of triethylamine. said dropwise addition is carried out under ice-cooling. After 1 hour, the reaction mixture is washed with water, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent; chloroform:ethyl acetate =10:1 ), and recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane, whereby 1.0 g of 1-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-methanesulfonylaminobenzylthio)imidazole as colorless needles.

Yield 73%.

M.p. 121° to 123° C.

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-methanesulfonylaminobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

138° to 142° C.(recrystallized from methylene chloride and n-hexane).

EXAMPLE 101

(1) 3.26 g of 1-(3-hydroxy-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-dimethylaminobenzylthio)imidazole are dissolved in 100 ml of dimethyl formamide, and 0.48 g of 60% sodium hydride is added thereto. After the mixture is stirred for 20 minutes, 1.3 ml of isopropyl bromide are added dropwised thereto, and the mixture is further stirred at room temperature for 17 hours. The reaction mixture is poured into ice water, extracted with ethyl acetate, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane, whereby 2.47 g of 1-(3-isopropoxy-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-dimethylaminobenzylthio)imidazole are obtained.

Yield 67%.

M.p. 85° to 87° C.

(2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1-(3-isopropoxy-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-dimethylaminobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

Mass(m/e):384(M⁺), 134.

¹ H-NMR(CDCl₃,δ): 1.32 and 1.34 (d, 3H, CH₃, respectively), 2.63(s,6H,N(CH₃)₂),4.81(ABq,2H,SCH₂).

EXAMPLE 102 TO 103

(1) The corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Example 101-(1) to give the compounds shown in Table 23.

                  TABLE 23                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR215##                  (II-o)                                            Ex.   Compound(II-o)                                                           Nos.  Ring A           Properties                                              ______________________________________                                         102- (1)                                                                              ##STR216##      M.p. 117 to 119° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                             103- (1)                                                                              ##STR217##      M.p. 87 to 89° C. (recrystallized from                                  ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                             ______________________________________                                    

(2) The products obtained above are treated in the same manner s described in Example 1-(2) to give the compounds shown in Table 24.

                  TABLE 24                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR218##                   (I-k)                                            Ex.  Compound(I-k)                                                             Nos. Ring A           Properties*                                              ______________________________________                                         102- (2)                                                                             ##STR219##      M.p. 120 to 122° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                              103- (2)                                                                             ##STR220##                                                                                      ##STR221##                                              ______________________________________                                          *note: NMR is measured in CDCl.sub.3                                     

EXAMPLE 104

3.42 g of 80% m-chloroperbenzoic acid are added to 100 ml of chloroform containing 1.5 g of 1-(4-pyridyl)-2-(2-dimethylaminobenzylthio)imidazole. Said addition is carried out under ice-cooling. After the mixture is stirred for 1 hours, 8.36 g of sodium hydrosulfite are added thereto, and allowed to stand at room temperature, for 2 hours. The reaction mixture is washed with a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent; chloroform:methanol =40:1 ), and recrystallized from a mixture of chloroform and isopropyl ether, whereby 0.91 g of 1-(4-pyridyl)-2-(2-dimethylaminobenzylsulfonyl)imidazole is obtained.

M.p. 132° to 135° C.

EXAMPLE 105

(1) 1.76 g of 60% sodium hydride are suspended in 80 ml of dimethylformamide, and 8.0 g of 1-(3-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2mercaptoimidazole are added thereto under ice-cooling. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes, and 13.22 g of o-phthalimidobenzyl bromide are added thereto. The mixture is stirred for 2 hours. After the reaction, the solvent is distilled off under reduced pressure, and water is added to the residue. The mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate and the extract is washed with 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and water, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The crystalline residue is recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and ether, whereby 11.3 g of 1-(3-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-phthalimidobenzylthio)imidazole are obtained.

Yield 63%.

M.p. 135° to 138° C.

(2) 7.05 g of the product obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 75-(2) to give 4.05 g of 1-(3-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-aminobenzylthio)imidazole as an oil.

Mass(m/e): 296(M⁺), 106.

¹ H-NMR(CDCl₃,δ): 2.07(s,3H), 4.27(s,2H), 4.05-4.50(br band,D₂ O exchange, 2H).

(3) 3.50 g of the product obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(2) to give 1.82 g of 1-(3-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-aminobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

M.p. 112.5° to 113.5° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate).

EXAMPLE 106 TO 107

The corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Example 105 to give the compounds shown in table 27.

                  TABLE 27                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR222##                   (I-l)                                             ##STR223##                                                                    (Wherein n = 0)                                                                Ex.   Compound(I-l)                                                            Nos.  Ring A         Properties                                                ______________________________________                                         106                                                                                   ##STR224##    M.p. 153 to 156° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate)                                            107                                                                                   ##STR225##    M.p. 158 to 160° C. (recrystallized from                                chloroform and ethyl acetate)                             ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 108

(1) 1.25 g of 1-(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2-mercaptoimidazole and o-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)sulfonylaminobenzyl chloride are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(1) to give 2.19 g of 1-(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)sulfonylaminobenzylthio)imidazole. (2) The product obtained above is treated in the same manner as described in Example 73 to give 1-(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-methylaminobenzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

M.p. 112.5° to 113.5° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate).

EXAMPLE 109 to 110

The corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Example 108 to give the compounds shown in table 28.

                  TABLE 28                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR226##                   (I-m)                                             ##STR227##                                                                    (Wherein n = 0)                                                                Ex.  Compound(I-m)                                                             Nos. Ring A       R.sup.2     Properties*                                      ______________________________________                                         109                                                                                  ##STR228##  NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                        M.p. 119 to 121° C. (recrystallized                                     from ethyl acetate and ether)                    110                                                                                  ##STR229##  NHCH.sub.3  NMR,δ: 2.17(s, 3H), 2.74(s, 3H)                                          4.66(ABq, 2H), 5.15(br,1H,D.sub. 2 O                                           exchange) CIMass(m/e): 327(M.sup.+  + 1),                                      138                                              ______________________________________                                          *note: NMR is measure in CDCl.sub.3                                      

EXAMPLE 111

(1) 0.77 g of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1-(3-methoxy-2-pyridyl)-2-mercaptocyclopenta(d)imidazole are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1 to give 0.78 g of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1-(3-methoxy-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-(dimethylaminobenzylsulfinyl)cyclopenta(d)imidazole.

FABMass(m/e): 397(M⁺ +1), 134.

¹ H-NMR(CDCl₃,δ): 2.60(s,6H), 2.45-2.91(m,6H), 3.77(s,3H), 4.79(ABq,2H,J=12.3Hz).

EXAMPLE 112

1.70 g of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1-(3-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2-mercaptocyclopenta(d)imidazole are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1 to give 1.78 g of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1-(3-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-(dimethylamino)benzylsulfinyl)cyclopenta(d)imidazole.

M.p. 119° to 120° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate and n-hexane).

EXAMPLE 113

1-(4-Methyl-2-pyridyl)-2-mercapto imidazole is treated in the same manner as described in Example 1 to give 1-(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2-(2-(dimethylamino)benzylsulfinyl)imidazole.

Yield 64%.

M.p. 127° to 129° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate).

Preparation 1

(1) A solution of 3.76 g of 2-aminopyridine and 7 g of 2,2-diethoxyethyl isothiocyanate in toluene is refluxed. After the reaction, the solvent is distilled off, and the residue is recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane, whereby 9 g of N-(2,2-diethoxyethyl)-N'-(2-pyridyl)thiourea are obtained.

M.p. 126° to 128° C.

(2) A solution of 8.94 g of the product obtained above and a small amount of conc. hydrochloric acid in acetic acid is refluxed. After the reaction, the solution is evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is dissolved in water, and sodium bicarbonate is added thereto. The crystalline precipitates are collected by filtration, whereby 4.91 g of 1-(2-pyridyl)-2-mercaptoimidazole are obtained.

M.p. 159° to 161° C. (recrystallized from isopropyl alcohol, isopropyl ether and n-hexane).

Preparations 2 to 25

The corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Preparation 1-(1) and (2) to give the compounds shown in Table 25.

                  TABLE 25                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR230##                                                                     ##STR231##                                                                    (wherein n = 1 in Pr. No. 2, n = 0 in Pr. Nos. 3 to 24, and n = 2              in Pr. No. 25, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are hydrogen atom, R.sup.3 is ethyl,        and                                                                            Z is sulfur atom)                                                              Pr.  Compound(III)                                                             Nos. Ring A           Properties                                               ______________________________________                                          2                                                                                   ##STR232##      M.p. 181 to 183°  C. (recrystallized from                               ethanol)                                                  3                                                                                   ##STR233##      M.p. 209.5 to 211.5° C. (recrystallized from                            methanol)                                                 4                                                                                   ##STR234##      M.p. 267 to 269° C. (recrystallized from                                ethanol)                                                  5                                                                                   ##STR235##      M.p. 170 to 172° C. (recrystallized from                                methanol)                                                 6                                                                                   ##STR236##      M.p. 223 to 225° C. (recrystallized from                                ethanol)                                                  7                                                                                   ##STR237##      M.p. 187 to 190° C. (recrystallized from                                ethanol)                                                  8                                                                                   ##STR238##      M.p. 227 to 229° C. (recrystallized from                                ethanol)                                                  9                                                                                   ##STR239##      M.p. 188 to 190° C. (recrystallized from                                ethanol)                                                 10                                                                                   ##STR240##      M.p. 166 to 168° C. (recrystallized from                                ethanol)                                                 11                                                                                   ##STR241##      M.p. 222 to 225° C. (recrystallized from                                ethanol)                                                 12                                                                                   ##STR242##      M.p. 205° C. (decomp. recrystallized from                               ethyl acetate and isopropyl ether)                       13                                                                                   ##STR243##      M.p. 205 to 207° C. (recrystallized from                                ethanol, isopropyl ether and n-hexane)                   14                                                                                   ##STR244##      M.p. 163 to 166° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                              15                                                                                   ##STR245##      M.p. 162 to 165° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate and n-hexane)                              16                                                                                   ##STR246##      M.p. 181 to 183° C. (recrystallized from                                methanol)                                                17                                                                                   ##STR247##      M.p. 208 to 211° C. (recrystallized from                                ethyl acetate)                                           18                                                                                   ##STR248##      M.p. 263 to 265° C. (recrystallized from                                ethanol)                                                 19                                                                                   ##STR249##      M.p. 251 to 253° C. (recrystallized from                                methanol)                                                20                                                                                   ##STR250##      M.p. 157 to 159° C. (recrystallized from                                methanol)                                                21                                                                                   ##STR251##      M.p. about 185° C. (decomp. recrystallized                              from ethanol)                                            22                                                                                   ##STR252##      M.p. 158 to 160° C. (recrystallized from                                ethanol)                                                 23                                                                                   ##STR253##      M.p. 279 to 283° C. (recrystallized from                                methanol)                                                24                                                                                   ##STR254##      M.p. 194 to 200° C.  (recrystallized from                               ethanol)                                                 25                                                                                   ##STR255##      M.p. 161 to 163.5° C. (recrystallized from                              ethanol)                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Preparation 26

(1) A solution of 57.96 g of o-dimethylcarbamoylbenzoic acid in tetrahydrofuran is added dropwise to a tetrahydrofuran suspension of 34.05 g of sodium borohydride. After the reaction at room temperature, 170.3 g of boron trifluoride etherate are added dropwise thereto, and the mixture is further refluxed. After cooling, a solution of 54 g of oxalic acid in water and methanol is added thereto, and the mixture is further refluxed. The reaction mixture is condensed and extracted with ethyl acetate under an alkaline condition. The extract is evaporated to remove the solvent, and the residue is distilled under reduced pressure, whereby 19.04 g of o-dimethylaminomethylbenzyl alcohol are obtained.

B.p. 106° to 109° C. (4 mmHg ).

(2) 2.89 g of thionyl chloride are added dropwise to a methylene chloride solution of 2.9 g of the product obtained above. After the reaction at room temperature, the mixture is diluted with ether. The crystalline precipitates are collected by filtration, whereby 3.78 g of o-dimethylaminomethylbenzylchloride hydrochloride are obtained.

M.p. 143° to 147° C.

Preparation 27

(1) To a tetrahydrofuran solution of 5.12 g of N-phenylanthranilic acid, 32.2 ml of a hexane solution of n-bytyl lithium and a solution of 4.42 g of methyl iodide in tetrahydrofuran are added successively at -60° C. and the mixture is reacted at room temperature. After the reaction, water is added thereto, and the aqueous mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate under an acidic condition. The extract is evaporated to remove the solvent, whereby 5.06 g of N-methyl-N-phenyl anthranilic acid are obtained as an oil.

Yield 93%.

Mass(m/e):227(M⁺).

¹ H-NMR(CDCl₃,δ): 3.22(s,3H,NCH₃). liquid

IR ν_(max) (cm⁻¹): 1690 (COOH ).

(2) A solution of 5.06 g of N-methyl-N-phenyl anthranilic acid in tetrahydrofuran is added dropwise to a tetrahydrofuran suspension of 1.7 g of lithium alminum hydride under ice-cooling. After the reaction at room temperature, the mixture is cooled in an ice bath. Water and a saturated aqueous sodium sulfate solution are added to the mixture, and insoluble materials are filtered off. The filtrate is evaporated to remove the solvent, and the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography, whereby 4.33 g of o-N-methyl-N- phenylaminobenzyl alcohol are obtained as a colorless oil.

Mass(m/e):213(M⁺).

¹ H-NMR(CDCl₃,δ): 2.10(t,1H,J=6Hz,OH),3.21(s,3H,NCH₃), 4.56(d,2H,J=6Hz,CH₂ O). liquid

IR ν_(max) (cm⁻¹): 3360.

Preparation 28

A solution of 9 g of ethyl o-(1-pyrrolyl)benzoate in ether is added dropwise to an ether suspension of 2.4 g of lithium alminum hydride under ice-cooling. After the reaction, water and a saturated aqueous sodium sulfate solution are added to the mixture, and insoluble materials are filtered off. The filtrate is evaporated to remove the solvent, and the residue is distilled under reduced pressure, whereby 6.3 g of o-(1-pyrrolyl)benzyl alcohol are obtained.

B.p. 120° to 135° C.(3 to 4 mmHg).

Mass(m/e):173(M⁺).

¹ H-NMR(CDCl₃,δ): 4.52(s,2H,CH₂ O), 6.30 and 6.83 (respectively, t,2H,J=2Hz, ##STR256## liquid

IR ν_(max) (cm⁻¹): 3380.

Preparation 29

A mixture of 6.82 g of 2-aminocyclohexanone hydrochloride, 6.21 g of 2-pyridylisothiocyanate dimer and 100 ml of toluene is stirred under heating. When the temperature is cooled down to 50° C., 4.61 g of triethylamine are added dropwise thereto. after the reaction, water is added to the reaction mixture, and the aqueous mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with a saturated sodium chloride solution, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent, whereby 8.2 g of N-(2-pyridyl)-N'-(2-oxocyclohexyl)thiourea are obtained.

Yield 72%.

M.p. 149° to 151° C.

Preparation 30

2-aminocyclopentanone hydrochloride is treated in the same manner as described in Preparation 29 to give 2-mercapto-1,3a,4,5,6,6a-hexahydro-6a-hydroxy-1-(2pyridyl)cyclopenta(d)imidazole

Yield 55%.

M.p. 126° to 127° C.

Preparation 31

N-(2-pyridyl)-N'-(2-oxocyclohexyl)thiourea is treated in the same manner as described in Example 67-(1) to give 1-(2-pyridyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzimidazol-2-thione.

M.p. 203° to 204° C. (recrystallized from ethyl acetate and n-hexane).

Preparations 32 to 36

2-mercapto-1,3a,4,5,6,6a-hexahydro-6a-hydroxy-1-(2-pyridyl)cyclopenta(d)imidazole and the corresponding starting compounds are treated in the same manner as described in Example 1-(1) to give the compounds shown in Table 26.

                  TABLE 26                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR257##                   (V)                                               ##STR258##                                                                    Pr.  compound(V)                                                               Nos. R              Properties                                                 ______________________________________                                         32   N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                             oil                                                        33   N(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2                                                                      oil                                                        34                                                                                   ##STR259##    oil                                                        35                                                                                   ##STR260##    oil                                                        36                                                                                   ##STR261##    M.p. 155.5 to 158° C. (recrystallized from                              ethyl acetate)                                             ______________________________________                                    

Preparation 37

(1) 24.2 g of ethyl o-fluorobenzoate and 9.8 g of imidazole are heated in the presence of sodium hydride, whereby 23 g of ethyl o-imidazolylbenzoate are obtained.

B.p. 165° to 167° C. (2 mmHg).

(2) 5 g of the product obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in preparation 28 to give 3.4 g of o-imidazolylbenzyl alcohol.

(3) 3.4 g of the product obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Preparation 26-(2) to give 3.3 g of o-imiazolylbenzyl chloride are obtained.

M.p. 160° to 161° C. (recrystallized from ethanol and ether).

Preparation 38

(1) A solution of 2.60 g of thiophosgen in 100 ml of ether is added to a mixture of 2.48 g of 2-amino-3-methoxypyridine, 4.40 g of sodium bicarbonate, 100 ml of ether and 50 ml of water under vigorous stirring and ice-cooling. After 30 minutes, organic layer is separated thererom, washed with water, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is disolved in chloroform and 2.84 g of 2-aminocyclopentanone hydrochloride are added thereto. 4 ml of triethylamine are added dropwise thereto and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. After the reaction, the reaction mixture is washed with water, dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is recrystallized from ethanol, wherby 2.49 g of 1,3a,4,5,6,6a-hexahydro-1-(3-methoxy-2-pyridyl)-2-mercapto-6ahydroxycyclopenta(d)imidazole are obtained.

Yield 47%.

M.p. 189° to 190° C.

(2) 3.15 g of the product obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 67-(1) to give 1.05 g of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1-(3-methoxy-2-pyridyl)-2-mercaptocyclopenta[d]imidazole as prisms.

M.p. 211° to 214° C.(decomp.).

Preparation 39

(1) 2-Amino-3-methylpyridine is treated in the same manner as described in Preparation 38-(1) to give 1,3a,4,5,6,6a-tetrahydro-1-(3-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2-mercapto-6a-hydroxycyclopenta(d)imidazole.

M.p. 171° to 174° C.

(2) 2.49 g of the product obtained above are treated in the same manner as described in Example 67-(1) to give 1.15 g of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1-(3-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2-mercaptocyclopenta(d)imidazole as prisms.

M.p. 226° to 228° C.(decomp.). 

What is claimed is:
 1. An imidazole derivative of the formula: ##STR262## wherein Ring A is a 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl group which may be unsubstituted or have one or two substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of halogen, lower alkyl group, lower alkoxy group, phenyl-lower alkoxy group, nitro group, amino group, lower alkanoylamino group, N-lower alkyl-N-lower alkanoylamino group, mono- or di (lower alkyl) amino group, lower alkanoyloxy group, cyano group, trihalogeno-lower alkyl group, trihalogeno-lower alkoxy group, lower alkenyloxy group and hydroxy group; Ring B is phenyl group which may be unsubstituted or have a substituent selected from the group consisting of a nitro group, amino group, mono- or di (lower alkyl) amino group, lower alkanoylamino group, phenylamino group, cycloalkylamino group of 3 of 6 ring carbon atoms, N- (tri-lower alkylphenyl) sulfonylamino group, N-lower alkyl-N-(tri-lower alkylphenyl) sulfonylamino group, N-lower alkyl-N-phenylamino group, di (lower alkyl) amino-lower alkyl group, N-lower alkyl-N-lower alkanoylamino group, lower alkylsulfonylamino group, formylamino group, lower alkoxy group, benzoylamino group, and lower alkoxycarbonylamino group; l is 0, 1, or 2 and n is 0, 1 or 2; and q is 3 or 4 or a salt thereof.
 2. The compound according to claim 1 wherein l is 1 or
 2. 3. The compound according to claim 1 wherein l is
 0. 4. The compound according to claim 2, in which Ring A is an unsubstituted 2-, 3- or 4- pyridyl group, or a 2-, 3-or 4- pyridyl group having one or two substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of halogen, lower alkyl group, lower alkoxy group, phenyl-lower alkoxy group, nitro group, amino group, lower alkanoylamino group, lower alkanoyloxy group, cyano group, trihalogeno-lower alkyl group, trihalogeno-lower alkoxy group, lower alkenyloxy group and hydroxy group; and Ring B is phenyl group or a phenyl group having one substituent selected from the group consisting of an amino group, a mono- or di(lower alkyl)amino group, a lower alkanoylamino group, cyclohexylamino group, a N-lower alkyl-N-phenylamino group, a di(lower alkyl)amino-lower alkyl group, a N-lower alkyl-N-lower alkanoylamino group, a lower alkoxy group, benzoylamino group, a lower alkylsulfonylamino group, formylamino group and a lower alkoxycarbonylamino group.
 5. The compound claimed in claim 4 in which Ring A is 2- or 4- pyridyl group or a 2- or 4- pyridyl group having one or two substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl group, C₁₋₄ alkoxy group and a C₇₋₈ phenylalkoxy group; Ring B is an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group having one substituent selected from the group consisting of amino group, a mono(C₁₋₄ alkyl)amino group, a di(C₁₋₄ alkyl)amino group and a C₁₋₄ alkanoylamino group; and l is
 1. 6. The compound claimed in claim 5, in which Ring A is an unsubstituted 2- or 4- pyridyl group, a 3-, 4- or 5-(C₁₋₄ alkoxy)-2-pyridyl group, a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-(C₁₋₄ alkyl)-2pyridyl group, a 3-(C₇₋₈ phenyl alkoxy)-2-pyridyl group, a 2-(C₁₋₄ alkyl)-4-pyridyl group, or a 4-(C₁₋₄ alkoxy)-6-(C₁₋₄ alkyl)-2-pyridyl group; and Ring B is an unsubstituted phenyl group, 2-aminophenyl group, a 2-mono(C₁₋₄ alkyl)aminophenyl group, a 2-di(C₁₋₄ alkyl)aminophenyl group or a 2-(C₁₋₄ alkanoyl)aminophenyl group.
 7. The compound according to claim 6, in which Ring A is an unsubstituted 2- or 4-pyridyl group, a 3-, 4- or 5-methoxy-2-pyridyl group, a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-methyl-2-pyridyl group, a 3-benzyloxy-2-pyridyl group, a 2-methyl-4-pyridyl group or a 4-methoxy-6-methyl-2-pyridyl group; and Ring B is an unsubstituted phenyl group, 2-aminophenyl group, 2-methylaminophenyl group, 2-ethylaminophenyl group, 2-dimethylaminophenyl group, 2-dimethylaminophenyl group or a 2-acetylaminophenyl group.
 8. 1he compound claimed in claim 5 in which Ring A is a (C₁₋₄ alkyl)-2-pyridyl group; Ring B is a phenyl group having one substituent selected from the group consisting of amino group, a mono (C₁₋₄ alkyl) amino group; q is 3 and n is
 0. 9. The compound claimed in claim 8, in which Ring A is a 3-(C₁₋₄ alkyl)-2-pyridyl group; and Ring B is selected from the group consisting of 2-aminophenyl group, 2-mono-(C₁₋₄ alkyl)-aminophenyl group and a 2-di(C₁₋₄ alkyl)aminophenyl group.
 10. The compound claimed in claim 9, in which Ring A is a 3- methyl-2-pyridyl group; and Ring B is selected from the group consisting of 2 methylaminophenyl group, 2-aminophenyl group, and 2-dimethylaminophenyl group.
 11. The compound claimed in claim 5 in which Ring A is a (C₁₋₄ alkyl)-2-pyridyl group; Ring B is a di(C₁₋₄ alkyl) aminophenyl group; q is 3, and n is
 0. 12. The compound claimed in claim 8, in which Ring A is a 3-(C₁₋₄ alkyl)aminophenyl group.
 13. The compound claimed in claim 1, in which Ring A is a 2-pyridyl group which may be unsubstituted or have one substituent selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl group and lower alkoxy group; Ring B is a di(lower alkyl)aminophenyl group; l is 1; and n is
 0. 14. The compound claimed in claim 13, in which Ring A is a 2-pyridyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with a methyl group on the 3-position of said pyridyl group, Ring B is 2-dimethylaminophenyl group; and q is
 3. 15. The compound claimed in claim 14, which is 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1-(2-pyridyl)-2-[2-(dimethylamino)benzyl-sulfinyl]-cyclopenta[d]imidazole or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof.
 16. A pharmaceutical composition for the treament of ulcers which comprises an anti-ulcer effective amount of the compound claimed in claim 2 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.
 17. A pharmaceutical composition for the treament of ulcers which comprises an anti-ulcer effective amount of the compound claimed in claim 6 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.
 18. A pharmaceutical composition for the treament of ulcers which comprises an anti-ulcer effective amount of the compound claimed in claim 9 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.
 19. A pharmaceutical composition for the treament of ulcers which comprises an anti-ulcer effective amount of the compound claimed in claim 10 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.
 20. A pharmaceutical composition for the treament of ulcers which comprises an anti-ulcer effective amount of the compound claimed in claim 12 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.
 21. A method for treatment or prophylaxis of peptic ulcer diseases in a warm-blooded animal which comprises administering to said warm-blooded animal a pharmaceutically effective amount of the compound claimed in claim
 2. 22. A method for the treatment or prophylaxis of peptic ulcer diseases in a warm-blooded animal which comprises administering to said warm-blooded animal a pharmaceutically effective amount of the compound claimed in claim
 6. 23. A method for treatment or prophylaxis of a peptic ulcer diseases in a warm-blooded animal which comprises administering to said warm-blooded animal a pharmaceutically effective amount of the compound claimed in claim
 9. 24. A method for treatment or prophylaxis of a peptic ulcer diseases in a warm-blooded animal which comprises administering to said warm-blooded animal a pharmaceutically effective amount of the compound claimed in claim
 10. 25. A method for treatment or prophylaxis of a peptic ulcer diseases in a warm-blooded animal which comprises administering to said warm-blooded animal a pharmaceutically effective amount of the compound claimed in claim
 12. 